Philosophical Control Of Washington State Senate Hangs In Balance

Austin Jenkins
11/19/2012

TRANSCRIPT

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Two southwest Washington legislative races are headed for hand recounts. They are that close. One of them could hand control of the Washington state senate to a coalition of Republicans and conservative Democrats.

One hundred and five votes. That’s all that separates incumbent Republican state Senator Don Benton from his trailing Democratic challenger Tim Probst. The two men are battling it out to represent the Vancouver area in the Washington legislature.

The outcome of this closely watched race could have statewide implications. If Benton ultimately wins re-election, that could revive a bipartisan philosophical majority that earlier this year seized control from Senate Democrats.

But first the race has to be decided. Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey says the race is so close there will be an automatic hand recount of the ballots after the election is certified later this month.

“The manual recount is really the ultimate test of a voting system.”

In that same southwest Washington legislative district there’s also an open House race that’s also too close to call. That election too will be decided by a hand recount.